We all had a lovely break over the Xmas period, but with 6 months to the judging day, its back to business as usual.

Heacham In Bloom welcomes a new sponsor Darren Bailey, local electrician, who will sponsor the display in the raised bed at the Lavender Junction.   The volunteers are gradually ticking off their list of hard landscaping tasks, much of the hard graft being done by Rob Topliss, Steve Percy and Rodney Clements.

It was also agreed that the colour scheme this year will take inspiration from the Olympic flame, so we will be using bright oranges, yellows and reds; a scheme that we have not used before.

A small working party has been set up to look at what might be done to “In Bloom” the High Street, following several requests from shop owners who want to support the project. We have also created a Heacham In Bloom facebook page; to keep you regularly updated with photos of our work, please free to “Like” us. Heacham In Bloom were given sight of the Parish Council’s plans for the creation of  a Jubilee Garden in the Recreation Ground, an application for lottery funding is being made as we speak so our fingers are crossed that the Council is successful.   Preparations are being made to launch our Best Blooming Caravan Competition in April, with our sponsors the Fox and Hounds Public House, so watch this space for more news.

Our next meeting is 20 February at 7.00pm – Parish Council Office.

Susan Richardson

The record breaking is well in swing

St Mary’s Church in Heacham along with congregations in Great Yarmouth, Mulbarton  and Swainsthorpe were among the 18,414 people across the UK who broke the world record for the largest number of people singing carols together across many different locations.   The previous record of 15,000 singers was set in 2009 by the stars of Disney’s A Christmas Carol who joined to illuminate London, with Christmas lights and break the Guinness World Record for the biggest ever Christmas Carol sing-a-long.

Carollers get in the spirit

This record was smashed in a co-ordinated carol singing event at hundreds of venues across the UK on 18 December from 7pm and the event was organised by Premier Christian Radio and sponsored by BibleLands.  Other locations included in this record breaking achievement included Scotland, Wales and even Geneva and the new world record holders sang carol classics Silent Night, O Come All Ye Faithful, O Little Town of Bethlehem, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, and Away in a Manger.

Musicians help keep the tune

Lois Carrick from St Mary’s Church in Heacham said: “We managed to attract an almost capacity congregation of about 300 people of all ages from the local community and the service was followed by very welcome mulled wine and mince pies.”

Peter Kerridge, CEO of Premier Christian Radio, said today; “It’s inspiring to see so many people across the whole of the UK get on board for this record-breaking attempt. It’s been a lot of fun, and has brought people out to celebrate and really be a part of the spirit of Christmas. As far as we can tell with these initial figures, we’ve broken the record! We hope to get the rubber stamp from Guinness in the next few months.”

Mr Flowers leads

Heacham Church Choir sing out

The record attempt is part of the ‘Christmas Starts with Christ’ campaign, which exists to engage people with the true meaning of Christmas. It includes church poster, national newspaper and radio advertising.

Taking part in Norfolk were: Mulbarton Parish Church who gathered at the World’s End pub in the village; Heacham village carol service on Church Lane in West Norfolk; the Salvation Army Great Yarmouth Corps on Tolhouse Street and St Peter’s Church in Swainsthorpe in South Norfolk.

Heacham sings up

Heacham Beavers help swell the crowd

Heacham in Bloom’s first AGM, held in November saw myself and Robbie Topliss  reappointed as Chairman and Treasurer respectively  and Geraldine Topliss taking over from Philippa Sewell, as Secretary. My report given at the meeting is as follows:

The expression from small acorns comes to mind……. In early 2009,  I was persuaded by the Parish Clerk to  Chair the first Heacham In Bloom Committee meeting.  Two and half years on and  Heacham In Bloom has  grown  much stronger and it  is a real credit to the dedicated committee members and our supporters that  we achieved an amazing Silver Gilt this year, with  commendations in 3 special award categories.

We might not yet be a mighty oak, but we have shown that we can hold our own against other  In Bloom groups who have been operating for many years.  I would like to extend a big thank you to all those who have helped us over the past few years, many in the background some with money, some with plants, some with machinery,  some with cakes …the list goes on. However,  whenever support or whatever support is given, it is a real boost to us.

We have already been working hard on our 2012 entry and as always it is about consolidation; bringing on and caring for those projects started in 2009 and  moving forward with new projects and expanding the Heacham In Bloom family.  We plan  to  promote our Pride of Place campaign and sign up more residents or groups to make their place bloom.   We  also met some lovely holiday makers whilst judging our Best Blooming Caravan Competition and we make no secret of the fact that with 2,000 caravans in Heacham, we are looking to encourage some fierce competition between parks and caravans.

Heacham In Bloom bring a tropical feel to South Beach.

I take great pride in the fact that, the Judges enjoy coming to Heacham, they enjoy our sometimes novel approach to the In Bloom competition  and that we continue to surprise them with how much we achieve with so little resources compared to other groups, part of our secret is our Heacham first approach, looking at what is right for Heacham not necessarily what will win us points in the competition.

I also announced that since our last meeting we have been given a cheque for £100 from the Heacham Gardeners’ Association as well as their notice board at the Dairy.  Many of you may have noticed that we have been hard at work over the past month at South Beach, putting the funding from Talk Talk to good use with help from Nick Cawthorne and his mini digger.

Please come and support our Christmas Coffee Morning on (10am to 12 noon) Saturday 10 December in St Mary’s Church Hall, Heacham High Street.  We would love to see you.

Our next meeting is on  19 December at 7.00pm at the Parish Council Office for anyone that would like to join our cause.

Posted by Heacham Twinning Association

Heacham’s Twinning Association invites you to come and meet Santa at their Christmas Bazaar on Saturday 3rd December  from 11am!!!

St Mary’s Church Hall in Heacham’s High Street will be alive with fun, games, bric-a-brac, books, preserves and scrumptious cakes.

Such an event would not be the same without the compulsory Raffle & Refreshments.  Why not come along, support the event and have some fun in the run up to the Christmas season.

Info: 01485 572252

The next Committee meeting of the Twinning Association is to be held on Wednesday 16th November in the Parish Council offices, Pound Lane, Heacham starting at 7.00 p.m. all members welcome to attend.

Norfolk Constabulary have announced a new way to contact your local police and other local police forces wherever you are in the country.  The new approach to communicating with local police forces has been simplified to two numbers: 999 for emergencies and 101 for anything else.

Click here more more information

Posted by Stella Gooch

Click to download Virgin Vie Night in aid of Sedgeford School – poster

A lively ladies night is planned by Friends of Sedgeford School to raise money for the School.  Why not grab a few of your friends and come along.  Advance tickets are just £5 and includes an entry in the Virgin Vie raffle, a glass of wine (or non-alcoholic drink), cheese & chocolate nibbles, make up demonstrations and good company.

You will also be able to browse through Virgin Vie product ranges and catalogues searching for Christmas ideas or perhaps a treat for yourself.

Advance Tickets are available by calling Stella Gooch 01485 576136 or 07788 645157 (remember its £6 on the door)

Posted by Stella Gooch

Back to the 60s Night, Saturday, 12 November in aid of Heacham & Criteuil-la-Magdeleine Twinning Association

Click to download Back to the 60s poster

Get back to the 1960s on Saturday, 12 November  (8.00 pm to 11.45 pm) at Heacham Public Hall dancing to the New Trojans.  What a fantastic night out you will have and you can help raise funds for the work of the Heacham Twinning Association at the same time.  What could be better?

Admission £6.50 – Doors open at 7:30 p.m. – Fully licensed bar  - Raffle

Tickets available from: Sue & Dudley on 01485 572252

Heacham Twinning Association would also like to meet new enthusiastic members. Please click to download their TwinningMembership Application Form.

This November we are preparing for our first AGM which will round up our most successful year yet and launch our 2012 campaign.     I am really delighted to announce  ahead of that meeting that  TalkTalk, the home phone, broadband and mobile provider, has agreed to sponsor Heacham in Bloom for the next twelve months.  The £850.00  funding will be used to provide colourful displays throughout the year and to develop the  permanent planting and bedding scheme at Heacham South Beach.   Talk Talk has been  expanding its Next Generation Network locally and Heacham In Bloom were lucky enough to be selected as part of their investing initiative that support projects which deliver a difference  to the community.   All are welcome  at the AGM, whilst we appreciate that not everyone wants to be a committee member,  there is always  a place on our growing list of helpers, sponsors and partnership groups.   Reports will be given on the Best Blooming Caravan Awards, Pride of Place campaign and plans for next year. 

We will also be hosting a Christmas Coffee Morning on Saturday 10 December at St Mary’s Church Hall  in the High Street 10am-12noon.  I look forward to seeing you there. 

 AGM NOTICE – ALL WELCOME:

Date: 21 November 2011
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: TBC
Refreshments provided

Presentation of the Durrant Trophy by Lou Durrant to Billy Skoyles

A mix of allotment holders and Heacham Parish Councillors marked the Centenary of Heacham allotments on Friday 14 October at a cheese and wine evening at the Old Friends Hall, Sunnyside. 

 The area of land used for the Allotments, leased from the Kenhill Estate,  was at least twice the size as it is now  and was a welcome source of fresh vegetables  especially during the war years. A hundred years on they are as popular as ever.  

Over 60 guests were warmly welcomed by Parish Council Chairman, Martin Johnson who reflected on the thoughts of the first plot holders in October 1911. It would have been simpler times with no Television or Internet, however with the shadow of World War looming.   There was much rueful  laughter at his mention of how much produce had been lost to pigeons, rabbits and snails over the years, but glasses were charged and a toast raised to future bountiful harvests.

Lou Durrant, on his retirement as an Allotment Representative, was presented with a bottle of whiskey in recognition  of his work on the Allotment Committee by Allotment Members’ Committee Chairman, Nigel Howes.

A delighted Lou with his retiring present from the Allotments Committee

 
Lou Durrant in partnership with the Parish Clerk, Philippa Sewell also presented the Durrant Trophy to Mr Billy Skoyles for the best kept plot.  The award is only given to plot holders in their first year who have impressed the committee with the work  on their plot.
 
A lovely anniversary cake, made by plot holder Maureen Hanford, was cut by three generations of the Wright family who all now worked their own individual plots. Even after a delicious buffet, everyone managed to eat a piece of two so little was left save a few portions for those who had been unable to make the event.
 
A series of past photographs were on show as well as the first rent registers and Parish Council minutes of the time.

Cutting the cake Terry Wright, Johnny Wright and Sean Wright